Your brother-in-law is planning to stay at home for one night.

I don’t know how much time had passed.

At the Leng Family residence, downstairs.

"So, that’s how things are."

"Your brother-in-law is planning to stay the night."

Leng Qingqiu, her face flushed, held Gu Yan’s hand as she lowered her head, looking thoroughly embarrassed.

This was so humiliating—her old habits had acted up again.

Because of it, Gu Yan had rushed over to comfort her once more.

And this time, she’d even been teased by Ling’er! As if that girl had any right to laugh, considering who was to blame for all this!

Leng Ling’er was dumbfounded.

Clad in pajamas, she glanced back and forth between Leng Qingqiu and Gu Yan.

Huh?

Wait, when did brother-in-law even get here??

I definitely locked the door!

But more importantly—

Leng Ling’er nearly wailed in frustration, "Brother-in-law! Why didn’t you come sooner?!"

"Because of you, I had to eat yesterday’s leftovers for dinner!"

Leng Qingqiu immediately frowned at that. "Ling’er, what’s wrong with leftovers? They’re healthier than takeout."

Sis... it’s not about health...

The problem is that your leftovers, after fermenting for a whole day, turned into something resembling a biochemical weapon......

Leng Ling’er pouted, refusing to say another word.

Gu Yan, of course, understood what she meant. He gently squeezed Leng Qingqiu’s hand and asked softly, "Qingqiu, are you hungry?"

"How about I make something? Didn’t you say... you wanted mango pudding and cream puffs?"

The moment those words left his mouth, Leng Qingqiu’s face burned red.

This jerk—he was still holding onto those things she’d said while pretending to be Leng Bingning in the forbidden zone?

How infuriating!

Still, after another round of sweet moments with Gu Yan, her mood had lifted considerably.

And now that she was feeling better—no longer moping—her usual attitude returned in full force.

So Leng Qingqiu slightly raised her chin and gave a light hum. "Do whatever you want..."

Gu Yan took one look at her and knew she was back to her usual self.

Relieved, he smiled. "Then wait for me in the living room."

"Okay."

Leng Qingqiu happily walked off.

Next up was...

Gu Yan turned to the pouting Leng Ling’er and sighed. "Stop sulking. I didn’t forget about you—fried chicken legs, right?"

Ling’er’s face instantly brightened. "Yes! Brother-in-law, I knew you were the best!"

"Don’t ‘the best’ me. Come with me first."

With that, Gu Yan pulled Ling’er into the kitchen.

After turning on the range hood, he lowered his voice and asked seriously, "Quick, tell me—how did your sister come back?"

Ling’er, who had been basking in the joy of fried chicken legs, suddenly deflated. "Brother-in-law... I’ll be honest. The sister who came back at first wasn’t really sister."

She made an exaggerated expression, clutching her chest. "I was so scared I thought I’d die!"

"But thankfully, that other sister left pretty quickly."

"And then... you called."

"After that..."

Ling’er gave Gu Yan a puzzled look. "Brother-in-law, you showed up. Speaking of which, when did you even get here?"

"I didn’t hear anything."

I had the Pure Love System teleport me here—you think I can tell you that?

So Gu Yan cut her off. "Kids shouldn’t ask questions they don’t need the answers to."

"Go wash the dishes in the sink."

"Why don’t you ever help out around the house?"

Ling’er immediately flared up. You’re the one who asked me!!

"Gu, you absolute trash!!"

......

......

Western Nation.

Inside the world-renowned Vistide Symphony Hall.

A girl around 13 or 14 years old stood at the center of the stage, her fingers lightly resting on the strings of a violin. A pristine white dress accentuated her youthful innocence.

Despite her young age, she was already performing in one of the world’s most prestigious concert halls.

The audience was filled with Western Nation’s most influential figures.

As the girl’s fingers danced, a melodious tune flowed forth—her violin’s voice like a clear spring leaping through mountain streams, purifying the soul.

This was none other than another candidate for the Gu Family’s succession... Gu Yingying!

Gu Yan’s younger sister, hailed as the second Leng Qingqiu!

Not only was she a prodigy in music, but she also possessed astonishing talent in painting, computer programming, finance, and more—all recognized by the world.

The audience held their breath, utterly captivated by her brilliance.

As the performance ended, thunderous applause erupted throughout the hall.

"Thank you, everyone."

Gu Yingying bowed gracefully, offering a gentle smile as she waved to the crowd.

"The rumored genius girl?"

"Teacher, what do you think?"

"Truly remarkable. Such talent at such a young age."

"Though she still falls a bit short compared to Eastern Nation’s Leng Qingqiu back in the day."

The mix of praise and criticism naturally reached Gu Yingying’s ears.

Yet she maintained her serene smile.

But once backstage—

She plopped onto a leather sofa, her expression darkening. "Tch, what a bunch of idiots."

"Why should I waste my effort performing for these fools?"

A nearby bodyguard sighed. "Miss... this isn’t Eastern Nation. We’re in Western Nation. Please watch your words."

"Watch them?"

Gu Yingying raised her voice slightly, her teeth gritted. "A bunch of outdated relics dare to critique my talent?"

"Especially—"

She lowered her voice to a venomous whisper. "Especially when they have the nerve to say I’m inferior to Leng Qingqiu?!"

"What a joke!"

"I’m the real genius! That fallen star doesn’t even come close to my level!"

"Do those walking fertilizer factories even understand what talent is?"

Gu Yingying grew angrier the more she spoke. Rubbing her temples, she took a deep breath—then instantly reverted to her sweet, demure expression.

She smiled sweetly at the long-suffering bodyguard. "What do you think, Little Bell?"

"Miss, my name is Lin Dang. Not ‘Little Bell.’"

Lin Dang, accustomed to his mistress’s mood swings, didn’t engage. Instead, he handed her an elegant invitation.

"Also, Miss, Grandmother Gu has sent an invitation."

"An invitation?"

Gu Yingying’s eyes lit up as she took it, a mischievous glint flashing in her gaze. "Oh~ Is it time for the annual gathering already?"

Then, resting a finger playfully against her lips, she cooed at Lin Dang, "Little Bell, what kind of humiliating spectacle do you think my dear brother will make this time?"

"Tehe, I can’t wait to see him flustered and furious again~~"

"I wonder if he’s still groveling after Shen Wan’er?"

Before she could finish—

Lin Dang flipped through some documents and interjected, "Ah, seems not. Young Master Gu is currently in a relationship with the eldest daughter of the Leng Family."

"Rumor has it the baby will be born soon."

???

The words hung in the air.

Gu Yingying's smiling expression froze on her face. She remained motionless: "You... who are you talking about?"

"Leng Qingqiu, the eldest daughter of the Leng Family."

"Wha... WHAT?!"

This time, Gu Yingying heard it clearly. She shot to her feet, her face twisting with shock.

Her complexion shifted between pale and flushed. "You... you’re joking, right??"

"How could my useless brother possibly be with... with Leng Qingqiu??"

"And..."

Her head spun, her voice trembling. "They’re even about to have a child?!"

Lin Dang flipped through the documents again before explaining to Gu Yingying, "That’s what the rumors say, though there might be some discrepancies in reality."

"But their relationship is confirmed."

At those words,

Gu Yingying swayed slightly. She covered her face, clenched her teeth,

then glared fiercely at Lin Dang. "Lin Dang, cancel all my upcoming appointments. I’m going to Jianghai!"

"Miss, my name is Lin—"

Lin Dang stared at Gu Yingying in surprise.

This time, she got it right?